Whole-body and segmental analysis of body composition in adult males with achondroplasia using dual X-ray absorptiometry

How pain affect real life of children and adults with achondroplasia: A systematic review

The clinical features of achondroplasia can cause acute self-limited pain that can evolve into chronic pain. Pain causes a low quality of life, in terms of physical, emotional, social, and school functioning in both adult and children with achondroplasia. We conducted a systematic review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement to describe prevalence, assessment tools, causes and management strategies of pain in this rare disease. We found that shoulder and knee pain is typically referred during infancy, while knee pain is generally referred around 5-6 years of age. The prevalence of general pain in adolescence can be as high as 90%. Chronic pain in the achondroplasia population increases with age, with up to 70% of adults reporting general pain and back pain. Recognizing the multiple determinants of acute and chronic pain in patients with achondroplasia may enable physicians to better understand and manage this burden, particularly with the advent of new drugs that may modify some of the striking features of achondroplasia.

A scoping review of nutrition issues and management strategies in individuals with skeletal dysplasia

PURPOSE

Skeletal dysplasia are heterogeneous conditions affecting the skeleton. Common nutrition issues include feeding difficulties, obesity, and metabolic complications. This systematic scoping review aimed to identify key nutrition issues, management strategies, and gaps in knowledge regarding nutrition in skeletal dysplasia.

METHODS

The databases Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, Ebsco CINAHL, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Database of Systematic Reviews were searched. Reference lists and citing literature for included studies were searched. Eligible studies included participants with skeletal dysplasia and described: anthropometry, body composition, nutrition-related biochemistry, clinical issues, dietary intake, measured energy or nutrition requirements, or nutrition interventions.

RESULTS

The literature search identified 8509 references from which 138 studies were included (130 observational, 3 intervention, 2 systematic reviews, and 3 clinical guidelines). Across 17 diagnoses identified, most studies described osteogenesis imperfecta (n = 50) and achondroplasia or hypochondroplasia (n = 47). Nutrition-related clinical issues, biochemistry, obesity, and metabolic complications were most commonly reported, and few studies measured energy requirements (n = 5).

CONCLUSION

Nutrition-related comorbidities are documented in skeletal dysplasia; yet, evidence to guide management is scarce. Evidence describing nutrition in rarer skeletal dysplasia conditions is lacking. Advances in skeletal dysplasia nutrition knowledge is needed to optimize broader health outcomes.

Fat infiltration in the thigh muscles is associated with symptomatic spinal stenosis and reduced physical functioning in adults with achondroplasia

BACKGROUND

Symptomatic spinal stenosis is a prevalent complication in adults with achondroplasia. Increased muscle fat infiltration (MFI) and reduced thigh muscle volumes have also been reported, but the pathophysiology is poorly understood. We explored whether the increased MFI and reduced thigh muscle volumes were associated with the presence of symptomatic spinal stenosis and physical functioning.

METHODS

MFI and thigh muscle volumes were assessed by MRI in 40 adults with achondroplasia, and compared to 80 average-statured controls, matched for BMI, gender, and age. In achondroplasia participants, the six-minute walk-test (6MWT), the 30-s sit-to-stand test (30sSTS), and a questionnaire (the IPAQ) assessed physical functioning.

RESULTS

Symptomatic spinal stenosis was present in 25 of the participants (the stenosis group), while 15 did not have stenosis (the non-stenosis group). In the stenosis group, 84% (21/25) had undergone at least one spinal decompression surgery. The stenosis group had significantly higher MFI than the non-stenosis group, with an age-, gender and BMI-adjusted difference in total MFI of 3.3 percentage points (pp) (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.04 to 6.3 pp; p = 0.03). Compared to matched controls, the mean age-adjusted difference was 3.3 pp (95% CI 1.7 to 4.9 pp; p < 0.01). The non-stenosis group had MFI similar to controls (age-adjusted difference - 0.9 pp, 95% CI - 3.4 to 1.8 pp; p = 0.51). MFI was strongly correlated with the 6MWT (r = - 0.81, - 0.83, and - 0.86; all p-values < 0.01), and moderately correlated with the 30sSTS (r = - 0.56, - 0.57, and - 0.59; all p-values < 0.01). There were no significant differences in muscle volumes or physical activity level between the stenosis group and the non-stenosis group.

CONCLUSION

Increased MFI in the thigh muscles was associated with the presence of symptomatic spinal stenosis, reduced functional walking capacity, and reduced lower limb muscle strength. The causality between spinal stenosis, accumulation of thigh MFI, and surgical outcomes need further study. We have demonstrated that MRI might serve as an objective muscle biomarker in future achondroplasia studies, in addition to functional outcome measures. The method could potentially aid in optimizing the timing of spinal decompression surgery and in planning of post-surgery rehabilitation.

What to Expect of Feeding Abilities and Nutritional Aspects in Achondroplasia Patients: A Narrative Review

Achondroplasia is an autosomal dominant genetic disease representing the most common form of human skeletal dysplasia: almost all individuals with achondroplasia have identifiable mutations in the fibroblast growth factor receptor type 3 (FGFR3 ) gene. The cardinal features of this condition and its inheritance have been well-established, but the occurrence of feeding and nutritional complications has received little prominence. In infancy, the presence of floppiness and neurological injury due to foramen magnum stenosis may impair the feeding function of a newborn with achondroplasia. Along with growth, the optimal development of feeding skills may be affected by variable interactions between midface hypoplasia, sleep apnea disturbance, and structural anomalies. Anterior open bite, prognathic mandible, retrognathic maxilla, and relative macroglossia may adversely impact masticatory and respiratory functions. Independence during mealtimes in achondroplasia is usually achieved later than peers. Early supervision of nutritional intake should proceed into adolescence and adulthood because of the increased risk of obesity and respiratory problems and their resulting sequelae. Due to the multisystem involvement, oral motor dysfunction, nutrition, and gastrointestinal issues require special attention and personalized management to facilitate optimal outcomes, especially because of the novel therapeutic options in achondroplasia, which could alter the progression of this rare disease.

Physical Activity, Exercise, and Sports in Individuals with Skeletal Dysplasia: What Is Known about Their Benefits?

There is a lack of knowledge about the practice of physical activity, exercise, and sports in people with skeletal dysplasia (SD). This study aimed to characterize the physical fitness of people with SD; investigate the benefits of physical activity, exercise, or sports programs for people with SD; identify the adapted physical activities that can be prescribed to individuals with SD; and identify the most common and effective structural characteristics and guidelines for the evaluation of individuals with SD and corresponding activity prescriptions. Electronic searches were carried out in the PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, Psycinfo, and Web of Science databases in October 2021 and March 2022 and included papers published until 3 March 2022. The search strategy terms used were “dwarfism”, “dwarf”, “skeletal dysplasia”, “achondroplasia”, “pseudoachondroplasia”, “hypochondroplasia”, “campomelic dysplasia”, “hair cartilage hypoplasia”, “x-linked hypophosphatemia”, “metaphyseal chondrodysplasia schmid type”, “multiple epiphyseal dysplasia”, “three M syndrome”, “3-M syndrome”, “hypophosphatasia”, “fibrodysplasia ossificans progressive”, “type II collagen disorders”, “type II collagenopathies”, “type II collagenopathy”, “physical activity”, “exercise”, “sport”, “training”, and “physical fitness”, with the Boolean operators “AND” or “OR”. After reading the full texts of the studies, and according to previously defined eligibility criteria, fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria; however, there was not a single intervention study with physical exercise. Several cross-sectional, review, or qualitative studies presented a set of essential aspects that future intervention studies can consider when evaluating, prescribing, and implementing physical exercise programs, as they allowed the physical characterization of the SD population. This study demonstrated an apparent scarcity in the literature of experimental studies with physical exercise implementation in the SD population.

International Consensus Statement on the diagnosis, multidisciplinary management and lifelong care of individuals with achondroplasia

Achondroplasia, the most common skeletal dysplasia, is characterized by a variety of medical, functional and psychosocial challenges across the lifespan. The condition is caused by a common, recurring, gain-of-function mutation in FGFR3, the gene that encodes fibroblast growth factor receptor 3. This mutation leads to impaired endochondral ossification of the human skeleton. The clinical and radiographic hallmarks of achondroplasia make accurate diagnosis possible in most patients. However, marked variability exists in the clinical care pathways and protocols practised by clinicians who manage children and adults with this condition. A group of 55 international experts from 16 countries and 5 continents have developed consensus statements and recommendations that aim to capture the key challenges and optimal management of achondroplasia across each major life stage and sub-specialty area, using a modified Delphi process. The primary purpose of this first International Consensus Statement is to facilitate the improvement and standardization of care for children and adults with achondroplasia worldwide in order to optimize their clinical outcomes and quality of life.

Physical fitness and activity level in Norwegian adults with achondroplasia

This cross-sectional Physical Fitness Study compared cardiorespiratory fitness (VO₂ peak), six-minute walk test (6MWT), muscle strength (30sSTS), balance (BESS), and self-reported physical activity level (IPAQ) in Norwegian adults with achondroplasia (ACH) to reference values of average-statured individuals. The feasibility of the physical fitness tests and IPAQ was explored. Forty-three adults (22 women) participated. Mean age was 38 years (range 16-69 years). Mean differences (95% CI) for men and women with ACH compared to reference values were: VO₂ peak. -7.0 m/min/kg (-13.6 to -0.5, p = .037), and - 7.9 ml/kg/min (-11.6 to -4.3, p < .001); 6MWT -270.8 m (-340.4 to -201.2, p < .001), and - 196.7 m (-244.3 to -149.0, p = .001); 30sSTS -4.6 repetitions (-7.8 to -1.5, p = .006), and - 1.1 repetitions (-3.4 to 1.1, p = .335). There were no differences within ACH participants, except for VO₂ peak, where men performed better. Sufficient physical activity (> 600 metabolic equivalent of task weekly) was achieved by 79% of the participants. The feasibility of the 6MWT and 30sSTS was good. There was a strong correlation between the VO₂ peak and 6MWT (men: r = 0.63, p = .007; women: r = 0.71, p < .001). The findings indicate that the 6MWT and 30sSTS test are useful in assessing functional exercise capacity and muscle strength in adults with ACH.

Cardiovascular risk factors and body composition in adults with achondroplasia

Purpose

An increased cardiovascular mortality has been reported in achondroplasia. This population-based, case–control study investigated cardiovascular risk factors and body composition in Norwegian adults with achondroplasia.

Methods

We conducted anthropometric, clinical, and laboratory assessments in 49 participants with achondroplasia, of whom 40 completed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for body composition analysis. Controls consisted of 98 UK Biobank participants, matched for body mass index (BMI), sex, and age.

Results

Participants were well matched for BMI (33.3 versus 32.5 kg/m²) and sex, but achondroplasia participants were younger than controls (mean age 41.1 versus 54.3 years). Individuals with achondroplasia had lower age-adjusted mean blood pressure, total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides compared with controls, but similar fasting glucose and HbA1c values. Age-adjusted mean visceral fat store was 1.9 versus 5.3 L (difference −2.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] −3.6 to −1.9; P < 0.001), abdominal subcutaneous fat was 6.0 versus 11.2 L (−4.7, 95% CI −5.9 to −3.4; P < 0.001), and liver fat was 2.2 versus 6.9% (−2.8, 95% CI −5.2 to −0.4; P = 0.02).

Conclusion

Despite a high BMI, the cardiovascular risks appeared similar or lower in achondroplasia compared with controls, indicating that other factors might contribute to the increased mortality observed in this condition.

Obesity in achondroplasia patients: from evidence to medical monitoring

Achondroplasia is a rare genetic disease representing the most common form of short-limb dwarfism. It is characterized by bone growth abnormalities that are well characterized and by a strong predisposition to abdominal obesity for which causes are unknown. Despite having aroused interest at the end of the 20 h century, there are still only very little data available on this aspect of the pathology. Today, interest is rising again, and some studies are now proposing mechanistic hypotheses and guidance for patient management. These data confirm that obesity is a major health problem in achondroplasia necessitating an early yet complex clinical management. Anticipatory care should be directed at identifying children who are at high risk to develop obesity and intervening to prevent the metabolic complications in adults. In this review, we are regrouping available data characterizing obesity in achondroplasia and we are identifying the current tools used to monitor obesity in these patients.

Safety assessment of a novel C-type natriuretic peptide derivative and the mechanism of bone- and cartilage-specific toxicity

ASB20123, a C-type natriuretic peptide/ghrelin chimeric peptide, was designed as a novel peptide and demonstrated full agonistic activity for natriuretic-peptide receptor B and a significantly longer half-life in plasma compared with the native peptide. We researched the toxicological profile of ASB20123, the correlation between the morphological change of the epiphyseal plate and bone and cartilage toxicity, and biomarkers to detect the toxicity. ASB20123 was systemically administered to male and female rats at daily dose levels of 0.5, 1.5, and 5.0 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks. In this study, toxicity was observed as changes related to bone and cartilage tissues, and no other toxicological changes were observed in all animals. Next, ASB20123 was administered to 12-month-old rats with a little epiphyseal plate. The toxic changes related to bone and cartilage tissues were not observed in any animal with a closed epiphyseal plate, indicating that the toxic changes were triggered by the growth-accelerating effect on the bone and cartilage. Furthermore, we searched for the biomarker related to the bone and cartilage toxicity using rats treated with ASB20123 at doses of 0.005, 0.05, 0.5, and 5.0 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks. A close correlation between necrosis/fibrosis in the epiphysis and metaphysis and thickness of the epiphyseal plate in the femur was confirmed in this study. A decrease in the bone mineral density (BMD) of the femur also was associated with the appearance of bone toxicity. These results indicated that the toxicity of ASB20123 was limited to bone- and cartilage-specific changes, and these changes were triggered by an excessive growth accelerating effect. Furthermore, our data suggested that the thickness of the epiphyseal plate and BMD could be reliable biomarkers to predict bone toxicity.